Long Beach State University Athletics
49er Women's Hoops Continues Road Stretch At Nebraska, Arizona
12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2008
LONG BEACH -
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Long Beach State (2-4) at
Nebraska (7-2)
Date: Friday, Dec. 12, 2008
Location: Devaney Center
Time: 5 p.m. PT
Series Record: LBSU leads 4-1
Current Streak: Nebraska won 1
Long Beach State (2-4) at
Arizona (3-4)
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008
Location: McKale Center
Time: 1 p.m. PT
Series Record: LBSU leads 14-4
Current Streak: Arizona won 4
THE RECORDS
Long Beach State has started the season at 2-4 and is coming off a nail-biting 55-54 victory at Idaho (Dec. 7). Nebraska, which opened the campaign with five straight wins, has dropped two of its last four contests for a 7-2 record. Arizona, meanwhile, owns a 3-4 mark and is looking to snap a three-game losing streak this weekend.
THE SERIES
The 49ers lead in their short series with Nebraska by a 4-1 count. The two teams met for the first time in 19 years on Dec. 15, 2007, as the Huskers picked up a 75-52 win against LBSU at the Walter Pyramid. This will be the first time the two teams will face each other on Nebraska's home court.
The Beach also leads in its series with Pac-10 foe Arizona by a 14-4 count, but has come up short in their last four meetings. The two teams squared off last year with the Wildcats claiming a 66-53 victory in Long Beach (Dec. 9, 2007). LBSU is 6-1 when playing in Tuscon, Ariz.
SCOUTING THE HUSKERS
Nebraska is off to a 7-2 start under seventh-year head coach Connie Yori. The Huskers opened the campaign on a five-game unbeaten streak before dropping two of their next four games. On Tuesday evening, Nebraska downed Cal State Bakersfield, 70-57, in Lincoln, Neb. On the season, the Huskers have a trio of double-digit scorers, including junior Cory Montgomery (15.9 ppg), sophomore Dominique Kelley (10.9 ppg) and junior Yvonne Turner (10.0 ppg). Montgomery also leads the squad with 8.1 rebounds per game.
A GLANCE AT THE WILDCATS
Arizona (3-4) is looking to snap a three-game losing streak this week as it plays host to San Diego (Dec. 11) and Long Beach State (Dec. 14). In their last outing, the Wildcats fell at Louisiana Tech, 68-53. Senior Amina Njonkou leads Arizona in scoring with 13.3 points per game. Sophomore Ify Ibekwe, meanwhile, is averaging a double-double with 12.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per contest. Rounding out the contingent of double-digit scorers for the Wildcats are freshmen Reiko Thomas (10.7 ppg) and Courtney Clements (10.3 ppg).
MIXING IT UP
Due to several injuries that have hit the 49ers early this season, Long Beach State has used a different starting lineup in five of its first six games. Of the 15 players that have logged minutes, 10 have earned the starting nod at least once. Only two players, Whitney Fields and Courtney Jacob, have started all six contests.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Long Beach State has combined for three double-doubles in its first six games. Whitney Fields is responsible for two of them with her second of the season coming at Washington State (14 points, 11 rebounds). Courtney Jacob, meanwhile, posted the 49ers' first double-double of the year with 15 points and 11 boards in an 83-59 win vs. San Jose State (Nov. 21).
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
After playing three of its first four games in the friendly confines of the Walter Pyramid, LBSU hits the road for two consecutive weekends, facing perhaps its biggest challenge of the season in early December. The Beach opened a four-game road swing with a 1-1 mark as it fell at Washington State (Dec. 5), before defeating Idaho two days later. The Black and Gold will follow last weekend's trip with a visit to Big 12 foe Nebraska on Friday, Dec. 12. The Huskers have made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round last season. The 49ers will then close out the road stretch at Pac-10 member Arizona (Dec. 14). Long Beach State returns home to host Brigham Young and New Mexico State (Dec. 20 & 22), and will then hit the road for its final tune-up before conference play at 2008 Western Athletic Conference champion Fresno State (Dec. 29).
30-POINT CLUB
Junior Courtney Jacob poured in a career-high 30 points at Loyola Marymount (Nov. 24), becoming the first 49er to reach the 30-point barrier since 2003. The Naples, Fla., native had an impressive 55.6 field goal percentage (10-for-18) and was 6-of-12 from behind the arc. She also pulled down seven rebounds and had a career-best six assists. Jacob was named the co-Big West Conference Player of the Week for her efforts. It was Jacob's first career weekly honor and was also the first time a 49er has won the award since the 2005-06 season.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCES
Several 49ers had breakout performances last weekend. Freshman Adelle Walton, who earned a starting role in just her second collegiate game, posted a team and season-high 11 points at Idaho. Walton is also tops on the squad with 3.2 assists per game.
Senior Lynea Williams came off the bench to tally a then season-high eight points against Portland State before topping that performance at Washington State with 12 points. Following her back-to-back season-bests, Williams earned her first start of the year at Idaho.
In her third start of the season at Idaho, junior Brett Timmons broke out with a season-high 10 points and nine rebounds, coming up just one board short of her first career double-double. Coming into the game, Timmons was averaging 2.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest.
UP NEXT
After completing a four-game road swing at Arizona on Sunday, The Beach will make its way back home to continue non-conference action. The 49ers are set to host Brigham Young on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 5:30 p.m., before returning to the friendly confines of the Walter Pyramid two days later when they take on New Mexico State at 3:30 p.m.
